DILI, 19 March 2026 (TATOLI) — Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão said the government has considered relaunching police recruitment after the suspension of last year’s process over alleged irregularities, in an effort to restore transparency and credibility.
The prime minister made the remarks after his weekly meeting with President José Ramos-Horta, during which he also briefed the head of state on recent demonstrations linked to the suspended recruitment.
Gusmão said a new recruitment is necessary following a joint review conducted by the government of Timor-Leste in cooperation with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Portugal’s National Republican Guard (GNR).
Gusmão said discussions with the AFP, GNR and civil society in Timor-Leste resulted in a recommendation to totally cancel the previous recruitment and open the new one.
He previously announced that the government would establish a commission comprising the Timorese National Police (PNTL), the GNR, and the AFP to oversee police recruitment and ensure “transparency, legality, and credibility” in the process.
He said the new process will be implemented based on a government decision and will be announced by the Ministry of Interior.
“The new recruitment process will have three stages. Candidates who fail the first and second stage will be eliminated immediately, and those who pass all three stages will be considered for induction as new cadets in the PNTL,” he said.
According to the prime minister, the new recruitment will include document screening, physical tests and medical examinations, overseen by a joint commission.
The decision follows concerns raised by candidates and various entities over compliance with recruitment requirements and the integrity of several stages of the process. Allegations included corruption, the inclusion of unqualified candidates and the removal of successful applicants.
Candidates and various entities warned that such practices could undermine the integrity and effectiveness of PNTL.
The controversy has sparked protests and repeated calls for a comprehensive review of recruitment procedures.
More than 10,000 candidates initially took part in the previous selection process, but only around 400 were deemed eligible for medical examinations before the process was suspended last month by the Council of Ministers due to the alleged irregularities.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
